Parasites

Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) and Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) are parasites which can at times infect the human digestive tract. Many of those infected are asymptomatic carriers. These parasites can, however, be associated with a range of gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea/constipation, mushy stools, abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas and pain. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, weight-loss, chronic fatigue, depression, low-grade fever, bloody stools and anal itching. D. fragilis has also been implicated in some cases of indeterminate colitis. Many patients may suffer for years before proper diagnosis is made and are often misdiagnosed as having Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is possible to treat these infections with a combination of drugs - after which, most patients report either complete resolution, or a great reduction in symptoms.

Presence of enteric parasites may often be overlooked as a significant contributing factor in patients presenting with IBS-like gastrointestinal symptoms. Insensitive diagnostics, indistinct symptoms and absence of effective therapies have contributed to misdiagnosis and development of resistant forms due to 'under-treatment'. The high failure rates of eradication using single drugs such as metronidazole (Flagyl), in treating B. hominis and D. fragilis parasite infections, have led to our development of novel combination therapies. In recent trials, doctors at CDD treated patients with IBS-like symptoms (diarrhoea, bloating, and nausea) who tested positive for either B. hominis, D. fragilis or both B. hominis +D. fragilis. Many, if not most symptoms, resolved or significantly improved upon treatment completion, in patients achieving successful eradication (tested negative after treatment). Novel Intra-colonic Infusion of three anti-parasite agents for resistant Blastocystis hominis infections. A Wettstein, T Borody, T Wee, M Torres, S Ketheeswaran. Abstract UEGW 2009 London.

However, a number of patients did not experience improvement and testing indicated they were still infected. Parasitic infections in such patients are usually labelled "resistant" and require further treatment with a modified treatment protocol. In most cases, re-treatment with a novel combination therapy results in successful eradication and subsequent resolution of symptoms. In some patients symptoms can continue and are presumed to be caused by a non-parasite 'dysbiosis'.

Here at CDD, we have developed several treatment protocols to eradicate B. hominis and D. fragilis, even in their more resistant forms. We would be happy to provide your doctor with this information upon request. We regret that we are unable to provide this information directly to patients at this stage. New therapies for very resistant strains may in fact require trans-colonoscopic or enema infusions for a couple of days using a new combination of drugs.